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Advise for young (aspiring) futurists

Frederic De Meyer
Frederic De Meyer

Excerpt of my lecture at Hogeschool Gent, post-graduate 'Trendwatching' with 15 brilliant future trendwatchers

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Advise for young (aspiring) futurists @fdemeyer frederic@i4fi.com fredericdemeyer.com Instituteforfutureinsights fdemeyer
What does a futurist really do?
What my mother thinks I do What my friends thinks I do What my wife thinks I do
What I think Im doing (well, what Im actually doing)
if you too want to become a boiling frog a futurist, remember this:
#1: you will have to read a(n awful) lot
#2: you will have to read even more
#3: you will have to get very efficient in looking for evidence
#4: youll have to (constantly) look for patterns and links
#5: youll have to (constantly) ask yourself what does it mean?
In 20 years we will all be freelancers The role of government will become obsolete in 50 years Sustainable future will be driven by population, not government(s) #6: youll have to build a (strong, preferably controversial) opinion
"Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value." Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Professor of Strategy, Ecole Superieure de Guerre I think there is a world market for maybe five computers Thomas Watson (IBM) 1943 640k ought to be enough for anybody Bill Gates, 1981 #7: youll need to get out of your paradigm (and comfort zone)
Usual suspects Write articles for media friends 際際滷share works +240K views +900 downloads Special mention Blogs still work (for now) #8: communicate extensively, exhaustively, relentlessly!
#9: look for role models (but remain yourself)
#10: youll have to offer things for free
60 Megatrend Fact Sheets (briefing document for long-term planning and innovation sessions) @fdemeyer frederic@i4fi.com fredericdemeyer.com Instituteforfutureinsights fdemeyer #11: but not everything, find things people would pay for
My first client 2 years lead time #12: be patient (after all youre selling long-term impact)
my business plan with freelance my real business #13: and get a plan B
But most of 温鉛鉛
#14: Enjoy what you do You have chosen the most wonderful job in the world !
The future cannot be predicted but it can be made ! (ancient African saying) Buy now on: @fdemeyer frederic@i4fi.com fredericdemeyer.com Instituteforfutureinsights fdemeyer

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Advise for young (aspiring) futurists

  • 1. Advise for young (aspiring) futurists @fdemeyer frederic@i4fi.com fredericdemeyer.com Instituteforfutureinsights fdemeyer
  • 2. What does a futurist really do?
  • 3. What my mother thinks I do What my friends thinks I do What my wife thinks I do
  • 4. What I think Im doing (well, what Im actually doing)
  • 5. if you too want to become a boiling frog a futurist, remember this:
  • 6. #1: you will have to read a(n awful) lot
  • 7. #2: you will have to read even more
  • 8. #3: you will have to get very efficient in looking for evidence
  • 9. #4: youll have to (constantly) look for patterns and links
  • 10. #5: youll have to (constantly) ask yourself what does it mean?
  • 11. In 20 years we will all be freelancers The role of government will become obsolete in 50 years Sustainable future will be driven by population, not government(s) #6: youll have to build a (strong, preferably controversial) opinion
  • 12. "Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value." Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Professor of Strategy, Ecole Superieure de Guerre I think there is a world market for maybe five computers Thomas Watson (IBM) 1943 640k ought to be enough for anybody Bill Gates, 1981 #7: youll need to get out of your paradigm (and comfort zone)
  • 13. Usual suspects Write articles for media friends 際際滷share works +240K views +900 downloads Special mention Blogs still work (for now) #8: communicate extensively, exhaustively, relentlessly!
  • 14. #9: look for role models (but remain yourself)
  • 15. #10: youll have to offer things for free
  • 16. 60 Megatrend Fact Sheets (briefing document for long-term planning and innovation sessions) @fdemeyer frederic@i4fi.com fredericdemeyer.com Instituteforfutureinsights fdemeyer #11: but not everything, find things people would pay for
  • 17. My first client 2 years lead time #12: be patient (after all youre selling long-term impact)
  • 18. my business plan with freelance my real business #13: and get a plan B
  • 19. But most of 温鉛鉛
  • 20. #14: Enjoy what you do You have chosen the most wonderful job in the world !
  • 21. The future cannot be predicted but it can be made ! (ancient African saying) Buy now on: @fdemeyer frederic@i4fi.com fredericdemeyer.com Instituteforfutureinsights fdemeyer